Honoured with a Ribbon Skirt

Last week, Superintendent Kathleen Finnigan was honoured with a ribbon skirt.

Diane Gardipy, from the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Support Team shared with Kathleen that the word strawberry in cree is otehimin, which means heart-berry. The ribbon skirt is covered in strawberries that are thought to continue to grow in one's heart. It is also thought of as a special fruit from creator God and holds a lot of significance in the ceremony. An Indigenous Knowledge Keeper, Teresa Cardinal, shared the following "imagine having a young student in your class; they may be missing being around their culture and community. By wearing a ribbon skirt, can open the doors for conversation and sharing. Seeing an educator go out of their way to showcase our culture is so meaningful."